Detekt is a free tool that scans your Windows computer for traces of
known surveillance spyware used to target and monitor human rights
defenders and journalists around the world. It is important to underline that if Detekt does not find trace of
spyware on a computer, it does not necessarily mean that none is
present. Some spyware will likely be updated in response to the release
of Detekt in order to avoid detection. In addition, there may be
existing versions of spyware, from these or other providers, which are
not detected by this tool.

In recent years we have witnessed a huge growth in the adoption and
trade in communication surveillance technologies. Such spyware provides
the ability to read personal emails, listen-in skype conversations or
even remotely turn on a computers camera and microphone without its
owner knowing about it.

Some of this software is widely available on the
Internet, while some more sophisticated alternatives are made and sold
by private companies based in industrialized countries to state law
enforcement and intelligence agencies in countries across the world.

There is little to no regulation currently in place to
safeguard against these technologies being sold or used by repressive
governments or others who are likely to use them for serious human
rights violations and abuses.

How widely do governments use surveillance technology?

Governments
are increasingly using surveillance technology, and targeted
surveillance in particular, to monitor the legitimate activities of
human rights activists and journalists. Powerful software
developed by companies allows governments and intelligence agencies to
read personal emails, listen-in on Skype conversations or even remotely
turn on a computers camera and microphone without its owner knowing
about it.

In many cases, the information they gather
through those means is used to detain, imprison and even torture
activists into confessing to crimes. It's impossible,
however, to give an accurate estimate of how many people are affected
by this surveillance spyware. This is because the companies that build
and sell such software market themselves on their ability to hide it
from users. Recent research has shown that known spyware has been found present in dozens of countries, covering all regions of the world. Detekt
is the first public tool that will assist activists, journalists and
civil society groups to scan their computers for spyware.